Medical Marijuna Certifications/CBD Specialist

To receive medical marijuana in Arizona, you need to see an approved physician like Chris Aussems, NMD, of Phoenix Anti Aging Clinic, who can assess whether you have a qualifying condition and how effective medical marijuana is likely to be in your case. If you think you could benefit from taking medical marijuana, or you want to find out more about it and related products such as CBD, call the office or schedule an appointment online.

Medical Marijuna Certifications/CBD Q & A

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is a substance extracted from the marijuana or cannabis plant. It comes as a pill or oil or can be eaten, inhaled, or smoked. Medical marijuana is effective in treating health problems like chronic pain and the side effects of some medications, particularly when other therapies aren’t helping.

Currently, marijuana is a Schedule I drug under federal law in the United States, which means it’s illegal. However, many states have now put their own regulations in place that allow medical marijuana use for specific purposes. Arizona has these regulations, enabling Dr. Aussems at Phoenix Anti Aging Clinic to prescribe medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions.

What conditions qualify for treatment with medical marijuana?

The following are the conditions listed by the Arizona Department of Health as qualifying for medical marijuana prescriptions.

Cancer

Glaucoma

HIV/AIDS

Hepatitis C

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)

Crohn's Disease

Agitation of Alzheimer's disease

Medical marijuana also has approval for use in patients who have chronic or debilitating diseases or medical conditions, or as a treatment for those conditions when they cause side effects such as cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

How do I get a medical marijuana certification?

If you are a patient at Phoenix Anti Aging Clinic, and you have a qualifying condition, you and Dr. Aussems can discuss whether medical marijuana would be of benefit for you.

If Dr. Aussems believes medical marijuana could help, he can fill in a Physician Certification Form certifying that you have one of the debilitating medical conditions listed in the Arizona Department of Health permitted list. He can also recertify you for medical marijuana use if you previously obtained certification.

You also need to complete an online application on the Arizona Department of Health website as a Qualifying Patient and sign a Medical Marijuana Patient Attestation Form.

Does Arizona require medical marijuana certifications for CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is available on prescription as an anti-seizure medication. CBD is derived from marijuana but doesn’t contain any of the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that causes marijuana’s psychoactive effects.

In Arizona, CBD derived from hemp that has less than 3% THC is legal and doesn’t require a medical marijuana certificate.

What does CBD treat?

There are possible benefits in using CBD for a number of health problems, and research is ongoing into CBD as a potential treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, anxiety, and other serious health issues. CBD comes as an oil, extract, vaporized liquid, or capsule.

As the benefits of CBD use in men and women grow, CBD is expanding to pets as an increasingly popular treatment option. In pets, it is effective for a range of conditions, including seizures, arthritis, back pain, and gastrointestinal issues.

To find out more about CBD or discuss the potential benefits of medical marijuana, call Phoenix Anti Aging Clinic today, or book an appointment online.